Ajax Seeks Redemption Against Fortuna Sittard After PSV Defeat

Ajax head to Fortuna Sittard with a point to prove in the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie – and Míchel has underlined that with a bold team selection featuring two debutants in the starting XI.

The 3-1 defeat to PSV has clearly left its mark. The response comes in Sittard.

Marc ter Stegen takes his place in goal, tasked with steadying a side that leaked three in Eindhoven. In front of him, Anton Gaaei starts on the right of a back four, with Thilo Kehrer drafted in at centre-back for the injured Aaron Bouwman, who is still recovering from last week’s heavy challenge by Ruben van Bommel. Youri Baas partners Kehrer in the heart of defence, while Caio Henrique is preferred at left-back.

The changes don’t stop there. Sofyan Amrabat, who only made his debut off the bench against PSV, is thrown straight into the starting midfield. He is joined by Jorthy Mokio and Julian Brandt in the engine room against Danny Buijs’ Fortuna side, with Davy Klaassen dropping to the bench.

Out wide, Steven Berghuis keeps his place on the right and gets another opportunity to deliver in the final third. On the opposite flank, Oliver Edvardsen starts on the left, adding fresh legs and direct running to the attack. Through the middle, Tolu Arokodare leads the line for the visitors from Amsterdam.

The message from Ajax is clear: after PSV, there has to be a reaction. Sittard is where they intend to show it.